In the Philippines, many families are poor and could not afford to send all their kids to school. Moreover, many of them have a lot of children, leading the eldest siblings to sacrifice for the younger ones by quitting school so they can find a job to help support the family.
A lot of eldest siblings end up not completing their college education, with many also stuck at being single because they had no time for love and having a family of their own as they focused on supporting their siblings.
Photo credit: ABS-CBN News / YouTube
Michelle Sison, the eldest of five siblings, experienced this. As the eldest, she knew early on about her responsibility for her younger siblings, especially because their parents did not have a stable job. So, she quit school to find a job. This led her to become an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), something that enabled her to support her siblings’ studies.
Photo credit: ABS-CBN News / YouTube
When her siblings finally graduated, it was time for them to give back. They helped send her to school.
She recently completed her Bachelor of Secondary Education from National Teachers College (NTC) as cum laude at age 42!
“Walang maayos na trabaho mga magulang ko. May isa akong kapatid ngayon na teacher din, isa siya sa tumulong sa akin para ako naman ang mag-aral,” Michelle shared.
Photo credit: ABS-CBN News / YouTube
Now a single mom, she did not let her age or her situation stop her from achieving her dreams!
The former OFW was chosen as recipient of the school’s “Gawad Haraya”, the highest honor bestowed by the school. She was chosen by her schoolmates who were asked to nominate the person that inspired them the most.
Photo credit: ABS-CBN News / YouTube
“Sa lahat, huwag mawalan ng pag-asa kasi kapag gusto ay makakamit natin ang ating mga pangarap,”
As she becomes a teacher, Michelle hopes that her story would become an inspiration to her students so that they would try their best in school and would never stop trying to reach their dreams…
Watch her inspiring story here:
